Dr Nicola Lawrence-Thomas
BA, MSc, PhD
Management School
Lecturer in Work Psychology
Full contact details
Management School
B042
Sheffield University Management School
Conduit Road
Sheffield
S10 1FL
- Profile
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I am a Lecturer of Work Psychology based in the Institute of Work Psychology at Sheffield University Management School. My main research interests include women's careers, (in)fertility and emotions at work. Specific topics include infertility, abortion and reproductive journeys in the workplace. I co-lead the Infertility at Work Research Network, based at the University of Sheffield.
I have published in a range of top management journals including Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice and Business Society, and books such as the Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research.
In addition to my academic work, I am a regular contributor to the BBC. I have appeared on various BBC platforms, including:
- BBC Radio 4
- Newsnight
- Woman's Hour
- BBC Radio Sheffield
As a passionate researcher, I actively engage with industry through my work. Previously serving as the Head of Research at the Institute of Student Employers, I have established strong links to the industry. I am frequently invited to speak at conferences focused on student employment and graduate outcomes, allowing me to share my expertise and insights with a broader audience.
I regularly contribute to the academic community by serving as a reviewer for esteemed journals and conferences in my field. This involvement helps maintain high research standards and facilitates the exchange of knowledge among scholars.
- Qualifications
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- PhD - Technical University of Denmark
- MSc - University of Leeds
- Post-graduate Diploma - University of Massey, NZ
- BA - Auckland University of Technology
- Research interests
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I am a passionate researcher, interested in how our careers are impacted by our wider life including emotions, fertility and technology. I am curious about mental health, wellbeing, neurodiversity and emotions, and how these things play out in the context of work. I investigate the impact of reproductive health on our sense of self at work.
In my research, I use cutting-edge technology to answer questions related to emotions and affect at work. How can smartwatches remind us to take a break when we are stressed at work? What can we learn to prevent people from experiencing burnout at work?
I am particularly interested in using epidemiological and big data to uncover new insights about the role of reproductive health and wellbeing at work. How do conditions like depression and anxiety impact our behaviour at work? What advantages can be conferred from different neurodiversity conditions?
I am an enthusiastic researcher who is always looking for collaboration opportunities. If reproductive health, infertility, AI, emotions, affect, feminism, abortion, wellbeing or neurodiversity research is your domain, do not hesitate to reach out.
- Publications
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Journal articles
- Understanding How New Professionals Learned and Grew After Covid-19: Social and Digital Learning. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2024(1).
- “Till Death Do Us Part”: Applying the Marriage Metaphor to Investigate Co-founder Exits. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2023(1).
- Beyond Knowledge, Skills, and Ability: The Impact of Neurodiversity in New Ventures. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2020(1), 21373-21373.
- What Can the Body Tell You About Affect in Team Conflict? Using Biometric Data to Study Conflict. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2020(1), 21003-21003.
- “Empathy Code”: The Dangers of Automating Empathy in Business. Business & Society.
- Act or Wait-and-See? Adversity, Agility, and Entrepreneur Wellbeing across Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 104225872211048-104225872211048.
Conference proceedings papers
- Founders "Just Want to Have Fun": Substance Abuse and Entrepreneurship Addiction. RENT Research in Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Dictionary/encyclopaedia entries
- Well-being in Work Teams. In Encyclopedia of Occupational Health Psychology Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. View this article in WRRO
- Understanding How New Professionals Learned and Grew After Covid-19: Social and Digital Learning. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2024(1).
- Research group
- Teaching activities
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I am an enthusiastic teacher and enjoy teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as to industry professionals. I specialise in teaching in organisational psychology subjects such as applied psychology in the workplace, psychometric assessments at work, and the psychology of teams and teamwork.
I believe that experiential learning, critical reflection and becoming an independent learner are essential in fostering a positive learning environment. Specifically, I believe that higher education is an incredible opportunity for students to build their ability to think critically and engage critically with what they are learning.
I currently teach across the following modules:
- MGT243: Career Management Theory and Practice
- MGT255: Leadership and Teamwork
- MGT6118: Dissertation
- MGT6162: Applying Psychology to Work and Organisations
- MGT6166: Selection and Psychological Testing in Organisations
I enjoy being a personal tutor to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and am currently undertaking the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education.
- Professional activities and memberships
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Head of Research at the Institute of Student Employers
- PhD Supervision
I am always seeking new PhD students who are interested in either the topic of emotions, teamwork, affect of mental health, or the method of biometric data and facial expression analysis (or both).
I currently supervise:
Are you interested in applying for a PhD?
